Apparatus for grinding toothed faced members

ABSTRACT

The present invention includes provision of the use of an adaptive gauging process in connection with tooth slot forming operations wherein a gauge probe from a control system is inserted into a tooth slot that is already cut, and any deviations from the proper tooth size, as indicated by the reading taken by the probe, will be taken into account in connection with cutting the next tooth slot. Thus, the feeding movements between the tool and workpiece will be modified through the control system under the control of the gauging probe after the latter takes a reading of the size of the previously cut tooth slot. Also, a precision, intermittently operating work indexing mechanism utilizing a control system is provided for operating in conjunction with the gauging probe to further improve the precision of the finished product. The present invention further comprises an orientation of machine parts wherein the work table is arranged to mount a workpiece for rotary movement about a vertical axis, and the grinding wheel is adjustably carried above the workpiece, and for rotation about a vertical axis.

Elite Sate at 1 Clarke et a1.

[ 1 May8,1973

[54] APPARATUS FQR GRINDING TOOTHED FACED MEMBERS [75] Inventors: JamesF. Clarke; Thomas A. Deprez,

both of Rochester, N.Y.

[73] Assignee: The

[22] Filed: Nov. 17, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 90,440

Gleason Works, Rochester,

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 803,683, March3, 1969, Pat.

Primary Examiner-Harold D. Whitehead Att0meyCushman, Darby & Cushman[57] ABSTRACT The present invention includes provision of the use of anadaptive gauging process in connection with tooth slot formingoperations wherein a gauge probe from a control system is inserted intoa tooth slot that is already cut, and any deviations from the propertooth size, as indicated by the reading taken by the probe, will betaken into account in connection with cutting the next tooth slot. Thus,the feeding movements between the tool and workpiece will be modifiedthrough the control system under the control of the gauging probe afterthe latter takes a reading of the size of the previously cut tooth slot.Also, a precision, intermittently operating work indexing mechanismutilizing a control system is provided for operating in conjunction withthe gauging probe to further improve the precision of the finishedproduct.

The present invention further comprises an orientation of machine partswherein the work table is arranged to mount a workpiece for rotarymovement about a vertical axis, and the grinding wheel is adjustablycarried above the workpiece, and for rotation about a vertical axis.

13 Claims, 34 Drawing Figures Patented May 8, 1973 22 Sheets-Sheet lPatented May 8, 1973 22 Sheets-Sheet 23 Patented May 8, 1973 3,731,433

22 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented May 8, 1973 3,731,433

22 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented May 8, 1973 22 SheetsSheet 8 GRl/VOl/YG-WHEEL Patented May 8, 1973 LVOT 22 Sheets-Sheet a Patented May 8, 197322 Sheets-Sheet l0 m WE? i ||UJ SQW Patented May 8, 1973 22 Sheets-Sheet'35?" ill Dill/M5 7'0 ZERO PEG/S751? Patented May 8, 1973 3,731,433

22 Sheets-Sheet 17 Patented May 8, 1973 22 Sheets-Sheet 1 n

1. A machine for cutting teeth in work-pieces including: a rotary worktable; a workpiece arranged on said work table; a rotary cutting toolarranged adjacent said work table; means for intermittently indexingsaid work table through a succession of indexing movements; meansproviding for periodic infeeding motion between said tool and theworkpiece to successively form tooth slots of desired size in theworkpiece, and means providing for automatic variation in the infeedingmotion on a subsequently cut tooth slot if a previously cut tooth slotwas not formed to said desired size.
 2. The structure defined in claim 1wherein said means providing for automatic variation includes a gaugingprobe arranged adjacent said work table for periodic insertion into thetooth slots.
 3. The structure defined in claim 2 and further includingmeans for advancing said probe into a tooth slot after it has been cutand in between indexing movements of said work table.
 4. The structuredefined in claim 3 wherein said indexing means includes precision meansfor indexing said table through equal, predetermined angulardisplacements for each indexing movement thereof.
 5. The structuredefined in claim 4 wherein said precision means includes means forreading the amount of angular movement of said work table, and means forrotating said work table in accordance with readings taken by saidlast-mentioned means and means for stopping the rotation of said worktable when it has been rotated through a predetermined angulardisplacement.
 6. Structure for finishing a workpiece having roughed outtooth slots therein including: a rotary work table; a workpiece arrangedon aid table; a rotary grinding wheel arranged adjacent said work table;means or intermittently indexing said work table through a succession ofindexing movements; means providing a relative infeeding motion betweenworkpiece and grinding wheel so that the grinding wheel enters into saidslots a predetermined distance for the finish cutting operation; meansfor taking a measurement of the size of a previously finished tooth slotand providing for varying the predetermined distance of relative infeedbetween workpiece and grinding wheel for a subsequent tooth slot to befinished if the previously finished tooth slot is not of apre-established size.
 7. The structure defined in claim 6 wherein saidmeans providing for automatic variation includes a gauging probearranged adjacent said work table for periodic insertion into the toothslots.
 8. The structure defined in claim 7 and further including meansfor advancing said probe into a tooth slot after it has been cut and inbetween indexing movements of said work table.
 9. The structure definedin claim 8 wherein said indexing means includes precision means forindexing said table through equal, predetermined angular displacementsfor each indexing movement thereof.
 10. The structure define in claim 9wherein said precision means includes means for reading the amount ofangular movement of said work table, and means for rotating said worktable in accordance with readings taken by said last-mentioned means,and means for stopping the rotation of said work table when it has beenrotated through a predetermined angular displacement.
 11. A machine forforming teeth in workpieces comprising a rotary work table adapted toreceive a workpiece thereon, a rotary spindle for holding a formingtool, workpiece first means operatively engaged to said spindle forrotating the spindle, second means operatively engaged to said spindlefor effecting axial movement of the spindle, said second means includinga feed quill operatively engaged to said spindle, a motor, and meansdrivingly connecting said motor to said feed quill to effect axialmovement of the feed quill when the motor is operated, third meansreleasably interconnected with said spindle for imparting oscillatingaxial motions to said spindle when said first means is operating torotate said spindle, said third means including a cam means releasablyconnected to said first means for being driven thereby, an electricalcoil means, means for slidably mounting said coil means relative to saidquill, a core operatively associated with said cam means and wit saidcoil means to follow rotation of said cam means to be therebyreciprocated in said coil, and an electrical control system operativelyconnected to said coil and said motor to vary operation of the motor inresponse to reciprocations of said core.
 12. The structure defined inclaim 11 wherein said third means includes means for varying operationof said motor in accordance with rotary movements of said spindle. 13.The structure defined in claim 11 wherein said third means includes areleasable clutch arrangement for selective interconnection between saidfirst and said second means.